Nagaland's forest loss demands urgent action, says opinion piece citing President's childhood lesson

An opinion piece draws parallels between President Droupadi Murmu's childhood lesson on respecting trees and Nagaland's accelerating forest loss. Murmu, who grew up in Odisha's Santhal community, recalled her father's reverence for trees even after cutting them for fuel, viewing them as providers of sustenance.

Nagaland, with 76% forest cover (12,616 sq km), has lost nearly 795 sq km between 2013 and 2023, with 125 sq km vanishing in 2021-2023 alone. The piece warns that forests weaken not just from complete loss but also from mature tree felling, repeated burning, and unplanned construction. Recent landslides across Mon, Peren, Kohima, Noklak, Tuensang, Tseminyu and Zunheboto resulted partly from bare slopes and deforestation.

The article argues development and forest protection need not conflict, emphasising sustainable construction practices—properly drained roads, stabilised hillsides, and forest-protected springs—are essential for long-term environmental and economic stability.